Lecture 10

What is the definition of Diaspora?

Communities that have been dispersed reluctantly due to factors like slavery, genocide, war, or economic migration.

How does memory construct the past?

Memory doesn’t revive the past, but constructs it, creating both official and unofficial narratives.

What is the difference between personal memory and collective memory?

Personal memory represents the memory of an individual, while collective memory constitutes the shared memory of a group or community.

What does cultural memory involve?

Cultural memory involves acts of transfer where individuals and groups construct and perform their identities by recollecting a shared past.

What is ethnic absolutism according to Paul Gilroy?

Ethnic absolutism is the perception that all individuals of a particular diaspora are inherently linked by heritage and collective history.

What role do feminist scholars play in counter memorializing?

Feminist scholars create new narratives from their perspectives that highlight gender, race, and class hierarchies, aiming to turn personal grief into collective remembrance.

What is the main focus of Heidi McKenzie’s work?

Heidi McKenzie focuses on bringing the herstories of Indo-Caribbean women into focus through a feminist lens.

What is the significance of the Diaspora Stories podcast?

The podcast consciously steps away from the label 'immigrant' to highlight the complexities of those who leave their homes behind.

What do Black diaspora women writers aim to achieve through storytelling?

They use storytelling to resist, transform, and heal from patriarchy, racism, and the history of slavery.

How does Morrison discuss the site of memory?

Morrison examines how remembrance practices allow for the rewriting of history to counter national and historical amnesia.

What is the power of autobiography according to the notes?

Autobiography allows women of color to counter stereotypes and highlight the complexities of their experiences.

What does 'personal to arrive at the political' mean in the context of narratives?

It refers to how autobiographical narratives infuse theorizing about race and gender based on lived experiences.

What is Indo-Caribbean feminist epistemology?

It highlights the contributions of Indo-Caribbean women to feminist scholarship in the Caribbean, focusing on solidarity and identity.

Why is it important to talk to your grandparents?

It fosters discussion that can reveal new insights and deepen connections to family history and culture.